Boardman Chambers, Jr.

Boardman Rivers Chambers

Longtime Kerrville resident and professor emeritus at Schreiner University, beloved husband, father, friend and teacher, Boardman Rivers Chambers passed away on July 18th.

A native of Mobile, Alabama (born March 12, 1924) Chambers enlisted in the United States Army in 1942. He served in the 20th Armory Division and spent the duration of WWII driving a tank across Europe. His division was instrumental in the liberation of Munich and most poignantly, helped liberate the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau.

Upon his return to the states, he spent a season chasing a professional baseball career. Though he remained a life-long fan by 1947, he resolved to take advantage of the GI Bill and continue his education. He received a BA from the University of Alabama in 1950 - to his great sorrow, the only non-winning era in the history of 'Bama football - and upon graduation began his teaching career at Mobile's University Military School (UMS). During his tenure there, (1950-1957) he resolved to continue his education at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College for Teachers. Happily, his time in Tennessee introduced him to his future wife Lois Marie Oakley, a math teacher from Old Hickory Tennessee. Armed with their respective degrees (MAs in English and Mathematics) and both committed to careers as teachers, the couple married in 1954. They returned to Mobile, continued their work and began their family.

In 1957, at the invitation of a fellow Mobilian, Dr. Andrew Edington, Chambers accepted a new teaching position at Schreiner Institute, now Schreiner University. He remained with the school until his retirement in 1994. Over the course of his years at Schreiner, he wore a multitude of hats: Chairman of the English Department, Registrar, Director of Admissions, Director of Athletics and first and foremost, Teacher. In any guise, his determination to champion a consistently high standard of academic and professional accomplishment never waned.

He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, a devotee of the golf course and for almost 60 years, a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as Deacon and Elder and taught, as one might imagine, a much loved Adult Bible Study Class.

Though he lost his beloved wife Lois in 2010, he is survived by their three children, Marie Elizabeth Chambers of Los Angeles, CA, Miriam Chambers Clarkson and son-in-law Ed Clarkson of Kerrville, TX, Jonathan Rivers Chambers and daughter-in-law Tina Chambers of San Antonio, TX; granddaughters, Sarah Celeste Mixon of Kerrville and Brooke Ashley Chambers of Austin, TX; great-grandsons, Preston Rivers Connell and Rayford Orin Mixon also of Kerrville; his youngest sister, Mary Lee Malone of Mobile, Alabama; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 PM, Saturday, July 23, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church, 800 Jefferson St., Kerrville, TX with Rev. Rob Lohmeyer and Rev. Howard Hovde officiating. Visitation will be held 6-8:00 PM, Friday, July 22, 2016 at Kerrville Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Hill Country College Fund, The First Presbyterian Church, 800 Jefferson Street, Kerrville, TX 78028 or Schreiner University, 200 Memorial Blvd, Kerrville, TX, 78028.

Reflection ''Crossing the Bar'' Alfred Tennyson

Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me, And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea. But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out of the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho' from out our bourne of time and place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home.
(830) 895-5111.

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